Placemat with detachable coasters



Nov. 12, 1968 P. 8. FORD 3,410,514

PLACEMAT WITH DETACHABLE COASTERS Filed Oct. 14. 1966 FIG. 2.

PATRlG/A B. FORD mvsmox ATTORNEY BY waww fpwb v United States Patent Office 3,410,514 Patented Nov. 12, 1968 3,410,514 PLACEMAT WITH DETACHABLE COASTERS Patricia B. Ford, 7331 Rockridge Road, Baltimore, Md. 21207 Filed Oct. 14, 1966, Ser. No. 586,689 2 (Claims. (Cl. 248346.1)

ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A placemat-coaster set is provided wherein the placemat is in the form of a design, e.g., that of an automobile, and the coaster is in the design form complementary to that of the placemat, e.g., that of a wheel of the automobile design, and a fastener is provided to position the coaster in the complementary position onto the placemat.

This invention relates generally to furniture covers, and more particularly it pertains to a table cover or placemat with provision for removably securing coasters, saucers or the like thereto.

Trays have long been available with compartments for food as well as for the accesories of dining as represented by the well known TV platters and the airline serving trays. These usually are used once and then discarded since they are difficult to Wash.

It is an object of this invention to provide a reusable placemat with means for detachably securing coasters, saucers or other receptacles thereto so that the assembly is readily disassembled for ease of washing and laundering the component parts.

Another object of the invention is to provide coasters or other dish items which can be definitely located on a fabric placemat or table cover.

Still another object of this invention is to provide a table setting facility in which dish holders of various types and designs are interchangeable on placemats of various types and designs.

The present invention can be summarized as comprising a placemat in the form of a design, at least one coaster in the form of a design complementary to the design of the placemat, and fastening means for positioning the coaster on the placemat at the appropriate location.

Other objects and attendant advantages of the invention will become more readily apparent and understood from the following detailed specification and single sheet of accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a plan view of a typical placemat according to the teachings of this invention showing detachable coasters; and

FIG. 2 is an exploded cross section taken on line 22 of FIG. 1 showing in larger scale the details of the detachable coaster arrangement.

Referring now to the drawings, reference numeral 10 indicates generally a placemat. This placemat 10 consists of a sheet of fabric or plastic and while shown in this example depicting a vehicle may be of any design or motif.

To prevent the placemat 10 from sliding about on a table as might occur in a boat or aircraft or at childrens parties, etc., the underside is provided with a rubberized backing 12.

At selected places on the placemat 10 the male portion 14 of a dress snap is secured.

A coaster 16 is provided with the female portion 20 of the dress snap. This coaster 16 may be of fabric or plastic with a rubberized backing 18 similar to the material of the mat 10. However, it would carry some other motif or color in contrast. Embossments or a peripheral rim (not shown) of the usual kind may be formed in the plastic of the coaster 16 to suit the intended dish article to be received.

Thus, when snapped together as shown by the arrow in FIG. 2, the coaster 16 becomes a definitely located and attached part of the placemat 10 yet can be easily removed and separately washed.

To suit other occasions the coasters 16 are easily attached to other placemats 10 of different motif, color, or having different dish locations as governed by the location of the male portions 14 of the snaps.

Obviously many modifications and variations of the present invention are possible in light of the above teachings. It is, therefore, to be understood that within the scope of the appended claims, the invention may be practiced otherwise than as specifically described.

What is claimed is:

1. A placemat-coaster set, comprising, a placemat having a design thereon, a plurality of coasters, each said coaster having a design thereon, and a plurality of snap fasteners, with each said snap fastener having a male portion and a female portion, said male portions of said snap fasteners being secured to said placemat at spaced selected places and a female portion of each said snap fastener be ing secured to a coaster, whereby each said coaster is secured in its selected place on said design of said placemat.

2. The placemat-coaster set as recited in claim 1, wherein said placemat has the design of an automotive vehicle, with said male portions of snap fasteners being positioned at the axis of the wheels of said automotive vehicle and further with said coasters having the design of wheels for said vehicle.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS JOHN PETO, Primary Examiner. 

